Alan Shearer has tipped Manchester United to secure a Champions League spot under interim manager Michael Carrick, but only if the side maintains the high standards set in their recent derby victory. The former Premier League striker was impressed by Carrick's impact after his first match in charge, a 2-0 win over Manchester City.
Speaking to Betfair, Shearer praised the tweaks Carrick made to the system within just three days at the helm. 'It was like someone flipped a switch; the energy and aggression were incredible,' Shearer said. He highlighted Carrick's bold decisions, including leaving out Joao Cunha initially and bringing Harry Maguire back into a back four.
United now sit fifth in the table, just one point behind Liverpool. Shearer believes consistency is key, especially with a tough trip to league leaders Arsenal on the horizon. 'Whether they can go to Arsenal and win is a different matter, but if they show the same appetite, they’ll be fine,' he added.
The former England captain also lauded Bruno Fernandes, calling him a 'wonderful player' in the number 10 role, while noting that 'best in the world' might be an exaggeration. Shearer concluded that if United replicate their derby performance, they can secure a top-four finish.
